Editorial - After sheriff's offices take over animal control, more strays find new homes

Published: Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 8:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 8:38 p.m.

With all the focus on what doesn't work in government, often government that works as it is supposed to gets overlooked. But the success of the transfer of animal control services in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties is worth a mention and a hearty round of applause.

The sheriff's department of each county has taken over animal control services, which used to be under the public health departments. And in all three counties, the services have improved, even as the departments take their other duties – namely, rounding up strays and rabid animals that can pose public health risks.

Adoptions in Brunswick and New Hanover counties are up substantially, and the percentage of adoptable pets in Pender County that are euthanized has dropped to about 1 percent. That means more abandoned or stray pets are finding good homes, even if the departments that are handling their cases are more used to trying to keep their charges behind bars.

The successes of these programs speak well of the effort the departments have put into them. Rather than take on animal control as yet another responsibility that will require spreading resources thin, the three sheriffs and their staff have embraced their new role and worked hard to improve operational efficiency and increase the odds that shelter pets will be adopted rather than killed.

In Pender County Lt. Keith Ramsey, who supervises the animal shelter, touts improvements to the shelter and better use of computer programs and websites. And the Pender County Commissioners just authorized the hiring of additional staff for the shelter. Inmates help out with duties in Brunswick County to supplement the staff there.

But credit, too, goes to volunteers who have lent their talents and their love for animals to finding homes for adoptable dogs, cats and the occasional exotic pet. While most of their clients are cats and dogs, shelters also wind up with ferrets, rabbits and even livestock (see above).

The use of social media to put the word out about pets who need homes spreads the information quickly.

Southeastern North Carolina has a strong network of volunteer rescue groups who in turn have contact far beyond our region.

It will take that type of teamwork to increase adoption numbers and to reduce the need to kill healthy, loving animals that could add to the happiness of the right family – if only that family would come.

<p>With all the focus on what doesn't work in government, often government that works as it is supposed to gets overlooked. But the success of the transfer of animal control services in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties is worth a mention and a hearty round of applause.</p><p>The sheriff's department of each county has taken over animal control services, which used to be under the public health departments. And in all three counties, the services have improved, even as the departments take their other duties – namely, rounding up strays and rabid animals that can pose public health risks.</p><p>Adoptions in Brunswick and New Hanover counties are up substantially, and the percentage of adoptable pets in Pender County that are euthanized has dropped to about 1 percent. That means more abandoned or stray pets are finding good homes, even if the departments that are handling their cases are more used to trying to keep their charges behind bars. </p><p>The successes of these programs speak well of the effort the departments have put into them. Rather than take on animal control as yet another responsibility that will require spreading resources thin, the three sheriffs and their staff have embraced their new role and worked hard to improve operational efficiency and increase the odds that shelter pets will be adopted rather than killed.</p><p>In Pender County Lt. Keith Ramsey, who supervises the animal shelter, touts improvements to the shelter and better use of computer programs and websites. And the Pender County Commissioners just authorized the hiring of additional staff for the shelter. Inmates help out with duties in Brunswick County to supplement the staff there.</p><p>But credit, too, goes to volunteers who have lent their talents and their love for animals to finding homes for adoptable dogs, cats and the occasional exotic pet. While most of their clients are cats and dogs, shelters also wind up with ferrets, rabbits and even livestock (see above).</p><p>The use of social media to put the word out about pets who need homes spreads the information quickly. </p><p>Southeastern North Carolina has a strong network of volunteer rescue groups who in turn have contact far beyond our region. </p><p>It will take that type of teamwork to increase adoption numbers and to reduce the need to kill healthy, loving animals that could add to the happiness of the right family – if only that family would come.</p>